Wire-stretcher.



PATENTED OCT. 16, 1906.

' AJB. AGNOR. I

WIRE STRETCHBR. APPLICATION FILED JULY12.1906.

PATENT OFFICE.

V VlRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1 6, 1 906.

Application filed July 12, 1906 Serial No. 325,864.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ARTHUR BURNESS Ae- NOR, of Raphine, in the county of Rockbridge, and in the State of Virginia, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in VVire- Stretchers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wirestretcher embodying my invention, Fig. 2 a bottom view of the parts shown in an open position, and Fig. 3 a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

My invention relates to wire-stretchers of the tongs type; and my object is to provide a wire-stretcher of this description which while of simple construction will powerfully grip the wire and possess all requisite strength; and to this end my invention consists in the wire-stretcher constructed substantially as hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings I employ a bar A, having one end curved or slightly hook shape for engagement with a post or other object, as a fulcrum on which to move the wirestretcher in drawing or tightening the wire, and near such end of the bar there is formed a rib or flange B, that extends crosswise of the bar and one face of which is roughened to provide a stationary gripping or clamping jaw. Pivoted to the bar A at c is a block C, which constitutes or carries the other jaw, said block having a serrated or roughened face to coact with the similar face of the stationary jaw, and for swinging said block to move its jaws toward and from the stationary jaw it is connected by a link D to a lever E in the form of a simple bar, pivoted ate to the bar A, contiguous to the block 0, said link being pivotally connected at one end to the block and pivotally connected at its other end to the lever. The end of the lever projects beyond the end of the bar A, so that the lever may be conveniently grasped by the hand to swing it to actuate the pivoted jaw, and when the pivoted jaw is moved into position to grip or clamp the wire against the stationary jaw the lever and bar A are in alinement, so that the operator can readily grasp both the lever and the bar to exert a drawing or stretching action upon the wire that is clamped and to be stretched. The movement of the lever to clamp the wire between the two jaws is in the same direction as that in which the whole tool is to be moved to stretch the wire, so that the tendency in a wire stretching or drawing operation is to retain and increase the grip of the jaws upon the wire.

- It will be evident that by means of the lever D and its link connection with the jawcarrying block C a most powerful grip on the wire can be secured and maintained with but little effort.

To limit or arrest the swing of the lever E in moving the swinging j aw to release the wire, I provide a stop, which, as shown, consists of a bar F, attached to the lever and the block C on the*side next the bar A, so that when the swinging jaw is opened to the desired extent said bar F will strike the edge of the bar A, and thus further opening movement of the lever and jaw be prevented. When the movable jaw is fully open, it stands at an angle with reference to the sta* tionary jaw, and to give a clear space for the application of the tool to the wire the portion of the swinging jaw nearest to the stationary jaw is out or beveled off, so that a surface is formed that is parallel with the side of the stationary jaw.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of a bar having a curved end to form a fulcrumengaging part, a stationary jaw extending transversely of the bar, a swinging jaw pivoted to said bar, a lever pivoted to said bar, and a link connecting thelever and the swinging jaw.

2. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of a bar having an end to form a fulcrumengaging part and having a stationary jaw, a swinging jaw pivoted to said bar, a link connecting the lever and the swinging jaw, and a stop-bar connected to the lever and adapted to engage the edge of the bar which carries the stationary jaw.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR BURNESS AGNOR. Witnesses:

S. A. WELoH, A. M. TAYLOR. 

